PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

MUST-KNOW STORY LINES

Gonzaga has Final Four talent. This is no doubt the Zags’ most well-rounded team. They have a budding superstar in Elias Harris, seasoned guards, athleticism on the wings, NBA size and depth inside and great chemistry.

BYU is the big threat. Tyler Haws, an All-Mountain West player as a freshman, has returned from his Mormon mission and will pair with sophomore point guard Matt Carlino to provide perimeter balance and give big man Brandon Davies more space to operate inside. BYU beat Gonzaga once last season and has won at least one NCAA Tournament game for three consecutive years.

Saint Mary’s needs a big man. Yes, Saint Mary’s snapped Gonzaga’s 11-year reign in the WCC, but the club also lost double-double man Rob Jones and glue guy Clint Steindl. Big-game point guard Matthew Dellavedova is back, but unless sophomore big man Brad Waldow takes a big step up or Southern Utah transfer Matt Hodgson surprises, the Gaels could struggle to keep up with Gonzaga and BYU.

San Diego’s Mighty Mites will rise up. Johnny Dee and Christopher Anderson are listed at 6-foot and 5-7, but nobody in the league believes those measurements. No matter, they have big games. They combined to average 22.7 points as freshmen, and major improvement is expected.

Santa Clara will win. At least one conference game, probably many more. The Broncos went winless in the league last season, but don’t be surprised if they finish in the middle of the pack this year. Big man Marc Trasolini, who averaged 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds as a junior, is back after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. Also returning is senior guard Kevin Foster, who was leading the WCC in scoring (17.8 points per game) when he was suspended for the final 12 games following a DUI arrest.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Elias Harris, Gonzaga. No player in the league has a ceiling anywhere near as high as Harris’. He averaged 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds last season, and for 2012-13, he has the potential to lead the conference in scoring, rebounding and 3-point shooting.